Premium cruise and tour operator Travelmarvel has announced it is expanding its successful European River Cruise program in 2016 with the addition of nine new extended itineraries and exciting new early booking deals.

In its new Europe River Cruising 2016 brochure, which is available in travel agents now, Travelmarvel continues to showcase its bestselling 15-day European Gems and 15-day Rhine and Rhône itineraries as its core offering.

Priced from just $5,295* per person twin share and taking in five countries – Slovakia, Hungary, Austria, Germany and the Netherlands – the 15-day European Gems features a range of Travelmarvel Insider Experiences including a trip to the 19th-century Drachenburg Castle; the chance to visit a local family home in Wertheim for coffee, cake and a slice of local culture; and a private ‘Oktoberfest’. Travelmarvel has maintained its preview brochure prices for all May to September 2016 departures of this cruise.

The 15-day Rhine and Rhône from Amsterdam to Arles is priced from $6,895* per person twin share and includes Insider Experiences such as the chance to visit an olive mill and farm in Saint-Rémy de Provence; Black Forest cake tasting and a visit to the charming village of Boucieu-le-Roi as well as a guided tour of Drachenburg Castle in Germany.

Responding to guest demand for longer and more immersive itineraries, Travelmarvel is adding different land extensions to the European Gems and Rhine and Rhône river cruises to create nine new itineraries. These include:

– 22-day Battlefields and European Gems River Cruise – Paris to Prague taking in Caen and Amiens, the beaches and memorials of the World War II Normandy landings, The Australian Memorial at Bullecourt and a visit to Frommelles prior to setting sail on a two week European Gems river cruise. Further highlights include the 360 Cinema in Arromanches and many of the historic sites of WWI & WWII. The trip culminates in a three night stay in Prague.

– 27-day Ultimate Britain & Splendours of the Rhine and Rhône River Cruise – Taking in seven countries on one amazing journey, guests first arrive in the UK capital, London where they explore the city’s highlights. Then an exciting land journey takes them to Scotland via Stratford-Upon-Avon and York. After visiting Edinburgh, Inverness, the Isle of Skye and Glasgow, the tour takes them to the Lake District, Ruthkin and Bath. Then it’s over to Europe for two successive seven night river cruises from Amsterdam via Germany and Switzerland to the South of France.

– 27-day The Baltic States & European Gems River Cruise – Starting with an immersive land journey from Finland via Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Germany, guests visit some of Europe’s most exquisite castles including Traki Island’s Castle, 17th century Pazaisilis Monastery and Sanssouci Palace once the summer residence of Frederick the Great. This is followed by two weeks sailing across Central Europe from Amsterdam to Budapest on a TravelmarvelEuropean Gems river cruise.

Travelmarvel’s new 21-day Norwegian Coastal Cruise & European Gems River Cruise also features in the new brochure. Seven departure dates are available for the new itinerary, which is priced from $8,195 per person, twin share. Highlights on the six day coastal cruise sailing aboard a contemporary Hurtigruten ship from Klirkenes to Bergen include the chance to attend a midnight concert at the Arctic Cathedral in Tromsø; an exploration of the stunning Trollfjord; and the chance to explore the many islands that sit within the Arctic Circle. The first departure operates during the magnificent Northern Lights period. This is combined with a 15-day Travelmarvel river cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest.

Commenting on the new Europe River Cruising 2016 brochure, Travelmavel’s Europe Product Manager Rochelle Jonson-Deak said, “Travelmarvel’s Europe River Cruise program is really making its mark amongst the travel trade and consumers alike. The pricing is competitive, the product delivers exceptional quality and value for money and we’ve had really encouraging sales from our Preview. By extending our best selling cruise itineraries with an exciting selection of land extensions, we’ve got the whole of Europe covered – there is something to suit all interests and we’re looking forward to working with our trade partners to deliver strong sales across the whole portfolio.”

Travelmarvel is offering two new early booking deals for 2016: a ‘Travel With Friends’ offer whereby when six or more people book a Europe River Cruise holiday together they can save up to $800 per couple; and an ‘Early Payment Discount’ which offers guests who book and pay for their trip in full ten months in advance a further discount of up to $800 per couple depending on the itinerary.

These can be combined with Travelmavel’s range of EarlyBird Specials, including ‘Fly Free, including taxes’, ‘Fly Free, just pay taxes’, ‘Companion Fly Free, just pay taxes’, ‘Fly Business Class from $1,995 per person’, ‘No Solo Supplements’ and a ‘$500 Air Credit’. Offers are subject to availability and full terms and conditions can be found on Travelmarvel’s website.

Travelmarvel’s European River Cruising 2016 brochure is available now. For further information call 1300 196 420, visittravelmarvel.com.au or see your local business development manager.